Hutchison raises nearly $1.3 million in Nevada lieutenant governor race

Republican Mark Hutchison raised more than $403,000 this year, but spent a whopping $920,000 in a hotly contested GOP lieutenant governor primary against Sue Lowden, according to his campaign finance report filed Tuesday.

So far, Hutchison has raised nearly a total of $1.3 million, including last year’s donations, his campaign said. The state senator has been endorsed by GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval, who has helped Hutchison raise money.

In the early days of the campaign Hutchison had to spend a lot of money just to raise his name ID among voters, who were far more familiar with former state Sen. Lowden, who lost a competitive U.S. Senate primary race in 2010.

“I am encouraged by the hundreds of donors, small and large, who continue to provide the resources we need to win,” Hutchison said in a statement. “I am also inspired by the thousands of volunteers who have endorsed or committed their time and efforts to fuel my campaign to victory. I will continue to work hard through the primary, and look forward to more success in November,”

Lowden raised nearly $152,000 this year so far and spent $249,000, according to her latest financial report filed with the Nevada secretary of state’s office.

Sandoval, who faces no serious competition for re-election, reported raising $320,000 and spending nearly $796,000 this year, including contributing to other GOP campaigns.

Campaign fundraising reports for the period from Jan. 1 through May 16 were due at midnight Tuesday.

On the Democratic side of the contest, Lucy Flores reported raising $312,000 for her campaign this year.

Since Flores faces weak competition in the June 10 primary, she won’t likely have to spend much money until the general election campaign kicks off this summer and into the fall ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

“Our fundraising success means that we are well on our way to being able to have a campaign focused on opportunity for every Nevadan,” Flores said in a statement. “I may not have the background of a typical politician, but I’m finding that Nevadans are hungry for someone who will stand up for those working families that are too often forgotten in our state.”

In an email to supporters, Flores said she had raised a total of nearly $400,000 so far, counting donations from last year. Her campaign didn’t disclose how much cash she has on hand.

As a teen in North Las Vegas, Flores was a gang member, dropped out of high school and was caught stealing a car. She turned her life around, however, and earned her GED, got a law degree and was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2010.

In other reports:

■ In the secretary of state’s race, Nevada Treasurer Kate Marshall, a Democrat, reported raising $216,000 in the latest fundraising period this year. Overall, she has raised just less than $400,000 for her campaign, including last year. She has about $250,000 cash on hand, according to her campaign. Marshall faces no opposition in the primary.

Republican state Sen. Barbara Cegavske, who is Marshall’s opponent, said she raised nearly $102,000 this period.

“I have always had my Democrat opponents outraise me,” Cegavske said. “I always outwork them.”

■ In the Nevada treasurer’s race, state Controller Kim Wallin, a Democrat, reported raising $105,000 and spending $27,000 in the latest reporting period.

Republican Dan Schwartz, a businessman running against Wallin, raised nearly $28,000 and spent more than $64,000. Still, he had nearly $163,000 cash on hand.

Neither candidate faces a primary opponent and will run against one another in the Nov. 4 general election.

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Find her on Twitter: @lmyerslvrj.